Armature assembly for a solenoid valve

Abstract

An armature assembly for a solenoid valve allows for a valve member to be retained in the closed position through a biasing force being applied therein. A moveably supported armature bolt is movable between a first position and a second position. A valve member is coupled to the armature bolt and is configured to close with the armature bolt at the second position. An armature body is coupled to the armature bolt. A resilient member adapted to hold the armature bolt at the second position so as to retain the valve member in the closed position.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An armature assembly for a solenoid valve, the armature assembly comprising:
 a moveably supported armature bolt, the armature bolt being movable between a first position and a second position; 
 a valve member coupled to the armature bolt, the valve member being configured to close with the armature bolt at the second position; 
 an armature body having a uniform cylindrical outer surface that is adapted to slidably engage a channel of a solenoid, the armature body forming an end bore that slidably engages the armature bolt directly; and 
 a guide fixedly engaged with the armature bolt and disposed entirely within a central bore formed in the armature body, the central bore and end bore being aligned along a centerline of the armature body, the guide forming a shoulder extending radially from the guide and disposed at a gap from a limit surface of the armature body within the central bore; and 
 a resilient member disposed within the central bore and extending along the guide between the shoulder and the limit surface of the armature body, the resilient member being in a compressed state to retain the valve member in the closed position by providing a biasing force when the armature bolt is disposed at the second position. 
 
     
     
       2. A solenoid valve comprising:
 an armature assembly according to  claim 1 ; and 
 a solenoid comprising:
 a channel for receiving the armature bolt and the armature body; 
 
 high power coils to slidably actuate the armature body within the channel so as to transmit a closing force to the valve member; and 
 low power coils to hold the armature body in abutment with a contact surface in the channel so as to hold the valve member in the closed position. 
 
     
     
       3. The armature assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the armature body is tubular sleeve. 
     
     
       4. The armature assembly according to  claim 3  wherein a plug is disposed at an end of the armature body opposite the armature bolt such that the plug closes an open end of the bore formed in the armature body to enclose the guide. 
     
     
       5. The armature assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the resilient member is a lever coupling the armature bolt to the valve member. 
     
     
       6. The armature assembly according to  claim 5  wherein armature bolt comprises a groove to accommodate the lever. 
     
     
       7. The armature assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the resilient member is composed of a plastic material. 
     
     
       8. The armature assembly according to  claim 5  wherein the armature body is fastened to the armature bolt. 
     
     
       9. The armature assembly according to  claim 7  wherein the armature body is fastened to the armature bolt. 
     
     
       10. The armature assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the armature bolt is coupled to the valve member through a translation-rotation coupling. 
     
     
       11. The armature assembly according to  claim 10  wherein the translation-rotation coupling comprises a connecting rod joined to the edge of the valve member. 
     
     
       12. The armature assembly according to  claim 11  wherein the connecting rod is connected to the armature bolt through a hinged coupling having a lever. 
     
     
       13. The armature assembly according to  claim 12  wherein armature bolt comprises a groove to accommodate the lever. 
     
     
       14. The armature assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the armature body is movably supported relative to the armature bolt. 
     
     
       15. The armature assembly according to  claim 14  wherein the armature body is a tubular sleeve. 
     
     
       16. The armature assembly according to  claim 15  wherein a plug is disposed at an end of the armature body opposite the armature bolt. 
     
     
       17. The armature assembly according to  claim 16  wherein the armature bolt is coupled to the valve member through a translation-rotation coupling.